1. Native Americans & White Settlers As the U.S. expanded west, settlers wanted the Native American lands, and the Native Americans didn’t want people taking over their territory. This resulted in many wars between U.S. settlers and Native tribes. Some white settlers wanted Native Americans to be removed from their lands, and some wanted the Natives to stay and adopt white culture.

3. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 Under the Indian Removal Act, the government signed about 90 treaties forcing Native American tribes to move west (around present-day Oklahoma).

4. The Cherokee Fight Back In Worcester v. Georgia, the court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was a distinct political community, and Georgia could not force them out of their lands. Jackson was able to ignore the ruling because he chose a small group of Cherokee leaders who favored relocation to be the representatives of the Cherokee Nation.

6. Arguments Supporting Indian Removal It would prevent further wars between Native Americans and white settlers. It would give the Native Americans permanent lands that settlers could not take away from them.

7. Arguments Against Indian Removal The Native Americans were living on their lands first, and had a right to stay there. The journey to the new lands was long and dangerous. Many people died on the trip. The new lands were not as good for farming, hunting, and living as the original lands.

8. Trail Of Tears Painting